Latest Big Ten Blast News

Big news today as Notre Dame announced it would join the ACC in all sports but—surprise!—football. So, Big Ten fans, trash any hopes you were clinging to about Notre Dame joining your conference. The Big Ten twice has made offers in the past, only to be rebuffed. It wasn’t going to ask a third time. Now this move by Notre Dame all but seals the notion that a Big Ten-Notre Dame marriage won’t happen in a long, long time . If ever. Maybe it’s time for the Big Ten to stop scheduling Notre Dame in all sports. Why fuel the

The struggles of the Nebraska defense at UCLA still are resonating. What went wrong? How did the Bruins run 94 plays? How could the unit have allowed 653 yards, the second most ever in the history of the program? Aside from the cold, stark reality of the numbers, Dirk Chatelain of the Omaha World Herald says how the Cornhuskers got those numbers is more disturbing. I have more links and notes in my usual Big Ten collection. After an examination of the tape revealed 19 missed Husker tackles, we know this: tackling is an issue. But it goes deeper than

On tonight’s “Football Report” at 7 p.m. ET with Mike Hall, Tony Banks, Rosevelt Colvin, and BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart, the crew will be joined by Purdue’s Danny Hope and Nebraska’s Bo Pelini. Also, our BTN experts are taking your questions on Twitter. Just tweet us using #AskBTN all day today. What is the key to the Purdue-Notre Dame game? What are your thoughts on the three Pac-12 vs Big Ten matchups? What else do you want to ask Rosevelt, Tony, or Tom? Shoot it in. They’ll answer a select number of them on our “Overtime” segment while Dienhart will

It turns out Ohio State and Penn State do have something to play for this season, despite being on NCAA probation and ineligible to win the Big Ten or go to a bowl game. The Big Ten has said if either team finishes first in the Leaders Division, it will be awarded with the division trophy and be deemed “Leaders champion.” The reaction? Urban Meyer isn’t excited by the prospect. And Penn State coach Bill O’Brien seems appreciative. Me? I’m not a fan of the move. I know other Big Ten teams in other sports have been on NCAA probation

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist scored 24 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lift Kentucky to a 102-90 win over Indiana on Friday at Georgia Dome in Atlanta in the Sweet Sixteen. Christian Watford had 27 points to lead the Hoosiers (27-9), whose comeback season ended two wins shy of the Final Four. Indiana, which won a total of 28 games the previous three seasons, has regained its usual place among the college basketball bluebloods. Full boxscore is here. BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart writes in this post that Indiana lived and died with the three-pointer this season, and on this night the Hoosier shots

For the first time since 1999 and the third time since the field expanded in 1985, the Big Ten has four teams in the Sweet 16. Indiana, Michigan State, Ohio State and Wisconsin all made it through the first weekend of the tournament, meaning each is two wins away from the Final Four, four from claiming the national title. The competition only gets stiffer the rest of the way, of course, so it’s important to consider what these teams did against elite foes. See how the Big Ten’s remaining teams fared this season vs. the Sweet 16 field in this

In Wednesday’s web links, we look at what some of the Big Ten beat writers are saying about their school’s chances in the NCAA tournament, which tips Thursday for three Big Ten teams. Also, find links and my thoughts on a trio of Big Ten big men who are filling equally big roles for Indiana and Michigan State. There’s some football talk in here, too, as coaches discuss position changes. Find it all in this post. Cody Zeller has exceeded expectations in leading the Hoosiers to a No. 4 seed, says Phil Richards of the Indianapolis Star. No doubt. We

What are my colleagues around the Big Ten saying this morning? The Spartans are a sure thing in an unpredictable tourney while the Buckeyes challenge is to move on. The Wolverines look to stick around a while in the NCAA while the Badgers’ bracket is dangerous even with Kentucky nowhere near. And the NCAA committee did Purdue a favor. What was it? Find out in my daily web links post. The Spartans are a sure thing in an unpredictable tourney, says Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press. No doubt, Michigan State is playing well, winning three games to claim

The 2012 Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament tips off at 11:30 a.m. ET Thursday with No. 8 seed Iowa taking on No. 9 seed Illinois at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (full bracket here). Before the action gets underway, I’m breaking down the first four games with an overview, key matchup and, of course, my prediction. Who do you like in the first four games? Vote inside. Also, I’ll be joining BTN.com’s Big Ten Geeks bloggers in a live blog for each of the four days of the tourney. Come talk with us during the games on the live tourney

In another edition of my daily links, I suggest five top stories worth a read plus a handful of others, too. But before I get to my usual breakdown, Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News and a frequent guest on BTN TV rolled out his publication’s All-American team and there are two familiar names on the first team and another one on the All-Freshman team. Read his piece here and see the list of teams here. And don’t forget: I’m headed to the Big Ten Men’s Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis to be part of the live BTN.com coverage. Use the